A TECHNIQUE pioneered by University Hospital of North Durham
scientists could cut the number of patients who develop infections
following operations.
The team have found a way to predict whether or not a wound will
become infected as little as 12 hours after surgery, using an
handheld probe.
Their research, published this month in the prestigious British
Journal of Surgery, could help doctors and nurses act quickly to
prevent infections in the most vulnerable patients.
Surgical wound infections, including those caused by MRSA, are a
significant cause of problems for patients trying to recover from
major operations.
Contamination of the wound with bacteria is one obvious cause
for this, and there are strict hygiene procedures in place to try
to minimise the risk of this in operating theatres and on
wards.
However, some patients have a far higher risk of developing an
infection. This is because not enough oxygen-rich blood is reaching
their wound. This not only slows down healing, offering more time
for an infection to take hold, but the lack of oxygen also hampers
the body's immune system as it tackles harmful bacteria.
The technique works on a simple principle - blood cells carrying
oxygen are bright red, while blood cells which have no oxygen are
purple in colour.
The Durham research used a handheld device which bounces
infra-red light into the skin around the wound. The signal that
reflects back is different depending on the colour of blood cells
in the wound.
The study looked at 59 patients recovering from abdominal
surgery, who were scanned at 12, 24 and 48 hours after their
operation, then examined a week later to check for signs of
infection.
In all, 17 patients developed an infection in their wound, and
scans from these patients had suggested significantly lower levels
of oxygen in the tissue surrounding the wound.
The research, by Dr Charlotte Ives and Dr Daya Singh, has
already won research awards, and Dr David Harrison, who leads the
team, believes it could make a real difference to patients.
He said: "The beauty of this device is that there is no need to
even remove the transparent film that is placed across the wound
after surgery - it's completely non-invasive.
"To be able to identify those patients most at risk of infection
at just 12 hours after surgery gives you the opportunity to
actually do something about it."
The technique is now to be the subject of a much larger clinical
trial in the US after a major biotechnology firm found out about
the Durham team's results.
At the Trust's annual awards ceremony this week, Dr Harrison won
two awards for his ongoing research, including the top prize of the
evening, the 'Chairman's Quality Award'.